New York, N.Y. 10011

Phone: (212) 294-6160

Fax: (212) 294-6161

Finding aid was encoded by Marvin Rusinek on January 12, 2009. Material was added to the collection by Christine McEvilly, January 2013. Description is in English.

August 2014. Historical note and collection-level scope and content note were added and revision of dates and minor edits were made to the finding aid by Patricia Glowinski. December 2014. An addition of one reel of microfilm from the AJHS Microfilm Collection was incorporated into the collection (comprising Series XXIX: Microfilm) by Patricia Glowinski.

The records chronicle the
ideology behind the Reconstructionist movement, the founding and activities of the Jewish
Reconstructionist Foundation, and its growth and transformation from an ideology and movement
into an established American Jewish denomination, Reconstructionist Judaism. The records also
document two seminal figures in Reconstructionist Judaism, Mordecai Menahem Kaplan and Ira
Eisenstein. Included in the collection are the administrative records of the Foundation
(minutes, financial records, bylaws), publications produced by the Foundation including
manuscript submissions for the influential publication The
Reconstructionist, correspondence, sermons, prayer books produced by the Foundation,
syllabi, sheet music, photographs, and speeches, among other material. In the correspondence are
letters from Martin Buber, J. Edgar Hoover, and Albert Schweitzer.

Languages:

The collection is
primarily in English, with some material in French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Yiddish.

The Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation was formed in 1940 for the purpose of publishing
materials to promote the Reconstructionist program, an ideology and movement founded by Rabbi
Mordecai Menahem Kaplan and later formalized under the leadership of Rabbi Ira Eisenstein.
Reconstructionist ideology had a significant impact on American Judaism. Kaplan's early
Reconstructionist theories were influenced by the assimilation of Jews in America following the
great waves of immigration in the early 1900s; he observed that Jews found it difficult to
maintain their Jewish identities in their new country. Key ideas associated with
Reconstructionism include interpreting Judaism as a civilization (as well as a religion and
nationality), supporting a more inclusive role for women in synagogue and in communal life,
expanding the role of the synagogue from merely a place of worship to a community center, and
the rejection of supernaturalism.

Following its founding in 1940, the main activity of the Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation
was publishing material that promoted Reconstructionist ideology. Beginning in 1941, the
Foundation published a series of Reconstructionist prayer books including The New Haggadah (1941), The Sabbath Prayer Book (1945),
and the High Holidays Prayer Book (1948). Concurrently, the
Foundation published the highly influential magazine, The
Reconstructionist. In 1954, four synagogues united to form the Reconstructionist
Federation of Congregations (renamed the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation). In 1955, the
Fellowship of Reconstructionist Congregations and Havurot was founded. As havurot (small groups who met for Shabbat, prayer, and community events) grew into
congregations, Reconstructionist Judaism became a more formalized movement. In 1968, Ira
Eisenstein founded the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College to ordain rabbis to lead in the
synagogues of the Reconstructionist movement and to serve the greater Jewish community in other
settings (as campus rabbis, chaplains, academics, educators, and professionals in Jewish
communal organizations). In 1974, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association was founded by
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College alumni. By 1990, over 100 synagogues and havurot were affiliated with the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation. In
2012, the plenum of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation voted in favor of restructuring. As
of 2014, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and the Jewish Reconstructionist Communities
jointly serve as the primary organization of the Reconstructionist movement.

Mordecai Menahem Kaplan (1881-1983) was an American rabbi, theologian, philosopher, essayist,
and Jewish educator, who founded the Reconstructionist ideology and co-founded the Jewish
Reconstructionist Foundation. Kaplan, born in Svencian, Lithuania, was the son of Israel Kaplan,
a Talmudic scholar, and Anna Kaplan. Mordecai Kaplan immigrated to the United States with his
mother and sister in 1889, a year after his father had immigrated. In the United States, he was
educated in the Orthodox tradition. He attended City College of New York and the Jewish
Theological Seminary of America, from which he was ordained. Kaplan also earned both a Master's
and Doctorate degree from Columbia University where he studied philosophy, sociology, and
education. In 1908, Kaplan married Lena Rubin (d. 1958). Also in 1908, while serving as minister
and superintendent of education at Kehilath Jeshurun, an Orthodox Synagogue in New York City,
Kaplan was granted traditional ordination. As Kaplan developed his interest in variant
theological interpretations and beliefs, he began to move away from Orthodox theology and he
decided to leave his position at Kehilath Jeshurun. In 1909, he accepted a position at the
Teachers Institute at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he would remain on staff in various
capacities until 1963. Kaplan served as the first rabbi at the Jewish Center, an Orthodox
synagogue founded in 1917. He resigned from that position and founded the first
Reconstructionist synagogue in 1922, called the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, located
in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan. Kaplan supported a more inclusive role for
women in synagogue and in communal life. Kaplan introduced the first bat mitzvah in 1922, when
his daughter Judith read from the Torah.

In 1925, Kaplan was sent to Jerusalem by the American Zionist Organization where he met Chaim
Weizmann, Louis Brandeis, David Ben-Gurion, and others. In 1935, Kaplan served as editor of the
newly founded magazine, The Reconstructionist, and then cofounded
the Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation in 1940. Kaplan continued to teach, write, and publish.
His books include Judaism as a Civilization (1934), Judaism in Transition (1936), The Future of the
American Jew (1948), Questions Jews Ask (1956), The New Zionism (1959), and The Religion of
Ethical Nationhood (1970). Kaplan also coedited a series of Reconstructionist prayer
books (published 1941-1948) and wrote extensive diaries (27 volumes) which were later published.
After the death of his wife, Lena, in 1958, Kaplan married Rivka Rieger, an Israeli artist. He
retired from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1963. Following the founding of the
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1968, Kaplan taught at the College for one year. Kaplan
died in New York City in November 8, 1983.

Ira Eisenstein (1906-2001) was an American rabbi, writer, editor, and one of the key thinkers
and leaders of Reconstructionist Judaism. Eisenstein was born in New York City and was the
grandson of Judah David Eisenstein (1854-1956), a Polish-born scholar, encyclopedist,
anthologist, and writer who immigrated to the United States in 1872. Ira Eisenstein received a
Bachelor's degree and Doctorate of Philosophy from Columbia University. At Columbia, he met, and
later married, Judith Kaplan, an ethnomusicologist and daughter of Mordecai Kaplan. In 1931,
Eisenstein was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary. From 1931 to 1954, he served as
associate rabbi, and then as rabbi, at the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, the
Reconstructionist synagogue founded by Mordecai Kaplan. Eisenstein was also the associate
chairman and later the editor of The Reconstructionist from 1935 to
1982. After moving to Chicago in 1954 to serve as rabbi at Anshe Emet, he returned to New York
City in 1959 to become the president of the Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation. In 1968,
Eisenstein founded the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia (now located in
Wyncote, Pennsylvania), and served as president of the college from 1968 to 1981. Some of
Eisenstein's seminal publications include Creative Judaism (1936),
What We Mean By Religion (1938), The New
Haggadah (coeditor; 1941), and Mordecai M. Kaplan: An
Evaluation (coeditor, 1952). Eisenstein died in Silver Springs, Maryland in 2001.

This collection documents the founding and expansion of the Jewish Reconstructionist
Foundation, an organization that was established in 1940 with the intent to publish materials to
promote the Reconstructionist program. The collection also chronicles the founding of related
programs, organizations, and institutions including the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Fellowship,
the Women's Organization, the Federation of Reconstructionist Congregations and Fellowships and
its predecessor, the Reconstructionist Fellowship of Congregations, the Reconstructionist
Rabbinical College, and various youth and university fellowships. Of primary importance in the
collection are materials that shed light on the historical background and ideological
foundations of Reconstructionist Judaism and the Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation. Material
in the collection that provides this illumination include the administrative records of the
Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation such as the minutes of the Board of Directors, bylaws,
correspondence, policy statements, syllabi, and letters and reports of the Foundation's
presidents, as well as the extensive publications produced by the Jewish Reconstructionist
Foundation including the magazine, The Reconstructionist, prayer
books, newsletters, and pamphlets.

The collection also documents key people who played significant roles in establishing the
Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation and creating the Reconstructionist ideology including Rabbi
Mordecai M. Kaplan, the founder of the Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation and the originator of
the theories behind Reconstructionist Judaism, and Rabbi Ira Eisenstein who served as president
of the Foundation and served as editor of the Foundation's main publication, The Reconstructionist, for many years beginning in 1959. The collection
includes correspondence, biographical material, tributes and awards, writings, photographs, and
clippings pertaining to both Kaplan and Eisenstein, with majority of such material highlighting
the activities of Kaplan. Another strength of the collection is material about the publication
of The Reconstructionist, as there are extensive manuscript
submissions and correspondence pertaining to the publication of the magazine.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society,
except items that are restricted due to their fragility.

Use Restrictions

Information concerning the literary rights may be obtained from the Director of Library and
Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society. Users must apply in writing for permission
to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection. For
more information contact: American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History,
15 West 16th Street, New York, NY, 10011email:
reference@ajhs.org

The AJHS Library holds many of Kaplan's and Eisenstein's writings, as well as scholarly works
about Reconstructionism. These may be found by searching the catalog of the Center for Jewish
History. http://search.cjh.org

Arrangement:

Arranged into two subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series I contains background information on the JRF, and includes bylaws, syllabi,
President's letters and reports, and ideological statements. The series is arranged into two
subseries: Subseries A: Bylaws and Policy Statements; and Subseries B: Presidents' Reports.

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A includes basic historical and ideological information about JRF. Various
editions of the bylaws are followed by a syllabus, newsletters and statements describing JRF,
and official statements made by directors, staff, and unidentified authors regarding
Reconstructionism, Zionism, and the formation of the Reconstructionist Fellowship of
Congregations.

Box

Folder

Title

Date

1

1

Bylaws of the JRF

undated, 1952, 1955, 1974

1

2

"The Philosophy and Program of Reconstructionism" Syllabus

1944

1

3

Description of the JRF

1945-1946

(contains Spanish)

1

4

Publicity - Foundation

undated, 1946-1951

1

5

Information concerning the JRF

1949

1

6

Information of the JRF

1950

1

7

Statements on Reconstructionism

circa 1950

1

8

Jack J. Cohen Statement on Reconstructionism

1951

1

9

Statement on Kashruth policy

1951

1

10

Statement on formation of Reconstructionist Fellowship of Congregations

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Scope and Content:

Series B consists of reports and letters issued by former Presidents Maurice Linder, Herman
Levin, and Ira Eisenstein. The letters include updates on JRF activities, and in some cases
(see 1959) a list of regional Executive Committee members.

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Scope and Content:

Series III includes correspondence regarding allocations from Jewish Federations, Welfare
Funds, and Community Councils across the country. The files also include JRF descriptions,
operating statement and other financial records, and a notice of tax exemption from the IRS.
Publications issued by the New York National office of the Council of Jewish Federations and
Welfare Funds, such as Council Reports and annual Directories,
are also enclosed. Mysteriously, federation records pertaining to the American Jewish
Historical Society were interleaved in these folders. The AJHS material has been separated and
relocated into the AJHS archives. There seems to be no previous connection between AJHS and
JRF.

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Scope and Content:

Series IV consists of invitations, agendas, lists, correspondence, and minutes issued by the
JRF Board of Directors. The minutes, for the most part, appear to be complete. Within the
minutes can be found separate reports from various committees, such as the Publications
Committee and Planning and Program Committee. Budgets are also interspersed. The series also
includes a folder on a Board retreat that was arranged in 1965. In addition to lists of Board
members, are lists of delegates and observers at Conferences of the Federation of
Reconstructionist Congregations and Fellowships. The minutes include short summaries of the
activities of various committees and projects such as the women's committee, publications
committee, and fundraising; and provide information concerning new Reconstructionist
congregations.

Arrangement:

By committee name and then chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Series V includes correspondence, lists, invitations, agendas, memos, and minutes of various
committees. These committees include Dinner, Executive, Finance, Fundraising, Liturgy and
Ritual, Membership, National, New Ideas and Activities, Nominating, Policy and Program,
Publications, and Reconstructionist Laymen.

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Scope and Content:

Series VI consists of correspondence, invitations, lists, clippings, programs, proceedings,
and press releases of various annual conferences/meetings of the JRF. Annual meetings often
included, in addition to an election of Board Members and yearly reports, special sessions
related to Reconstructionism. The 1948 annual conference discusses the new Jewish State; the
1963 conference proposes an institution for "Applied Research in Contemporary Judaism."

Arrangement:

Arranged into three subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series VII pertains to the Federation of Reconstructionist Congregations and Fellowships,
which succeeded its predecessor, the Reconstructionist Fellowship of Congregations at a
conference held on May 21, 1956. The series is arranged into three subseries: Subseries A: Lists; Subseries B: Executive
Committee/Board of Governors; Subseries C:
Conferences.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A includes lists of members from various categories such as observers, affiliated
congregations, havurot, officers, and members of the Board of
Governors and various committees. Updated contact information from Congregations and
individuals are also included, as well as a 1960 conference proceeding and 1962 list of
resolutions.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B focuses on correspondence and minutes issued by Executive Committee and Board
of Governors of the Federation of Reconstructionist Congregations and Fellowships. The
Executive Committee consisted of officers elected at annual Federation conferences. The
Executive Committee oversaw the activities of the Board of Governors, a body composed of two
members designated from a Congregation (or one member from a Havurah). Series B includes
Federation conference proceedings for 1960 and resolutions for 1961, 1964 in addition to
Executive Committee minutes for 1965, and the Board of Governor minutes for 1968. Lists of
officers and Board of Governor delegates are included as well as correspondence and form
letters pertaining to member appointments and meeting invitations.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries C is devoted to conferences held by the Federation of Reconstructionist
Congregations and Fellowships. The conferences include annual conferences, Spring
conferences, and specific Workshops. In many cases, conference material from JRF annual
conferences, Rabbinical conferences and regional Federation meetings can also be found in
some folders (see General Fellowship Materials, 1956-1957; Spring Conference Ritual Committee
Workshop, 1957; Federation Conference, April 1964; "Conference August 26-27, 1964). These
documents were retained in their original folders for research context.

Press releases, bulletins, articles, lists, resolutions, and correspondence related to the
conferences are also included, as well as meetings and correspondence concerning the Board of
Governors. "Skokie IL Conference, May 1962" contains a "Guide for Jewish Ritual Usage;"
"Federation Conference May 20-23, 1965" includes "A Program for the Reconstitution of the
Jewish People." by Mordecai M. Kaplan. A "Draft Resolution on Mixed Marriage" is located in
"Federation of Reconstructionist Congregations and Fellowships 1968."

Arrangement:

Arranged into two subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series VIII consists of annual and special event dinners held to raise money for JRF. The
series is arranged into two subseries: Subseries A: Annual
dinners; and Subseries B: Special gift and testimonial
dinners.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A contains correspondence, invitations, photographs, press releases, programs,
and seating arrangements for JRF's annual dinners. Pledge information and mailing lists are
also included. An important date is November 22, 1964, when JRF celebrated its 25th anniversary and The
Reconstructionist celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Folders documenting the November 3, 1965, which celebrated Mordecai M. Kaplan's 85th birthday and October 30, 1966, which celebrated Ira Eisenstein's
60th birthday include congratulatory letters and telegrams.
Additional material regarding these special occasions can be found in Subseries B: Special gift and testimonial dinners.

Arrangement:

By subject, then chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B contains correspondence, invitations, journals, clippings, JRF pamphlets,
pledge information, and press releases regarding special gift and testimonial dinners.
Special gift dinners were smaller affairs, held at Hotel Croyton and later at Maurice
Linder's home. Mordecai M. Kaplan's birthday dinners included a journal titled "A book of
tributes in honor of his 70th birthday" and an essay by Dr. Meir
Ben-Horin titled "Dr. Mordecai M. Kaplan- Philosopher and Theologian." A dinner honoring
Rabbi Eugene Kohn, editor of The Reconstructionist, took place
on his 70th birthday.

Arrangement:

Arranged into four subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series IX documents JRF's fundraising efforts. The series is arranged into four subseries:
Subseries A: General Fundraising; Subseries B: Allocations; Subseries C: Pledges; and
Subseries D: Special Funds and Pledge Drives.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A provides an overview of the varied ways in which JRF raised funds, which
included mailing and traveling campaigns. The subseries primarily consists of lists of
pledges given either by individuals, by different states, and in one case, for the Society of
Advanced Judaism (see "General Fundraising 1950"). "General Fundraising 1955-1957" contains
material related to Maurice Linder's 1957 parlor meeting.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B records contributions made by various organizations to JRF. These organizations
included religious schools, congregations, and Jewish Community Councils, Jewish Federations,
and Jewish Welfare Funds. Funds collected by children in religious schools were often
allocated from a "Keren Ami" account.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries C contains correspondence, balance sheets, and lists of pledges made at various
dinners, holidays, and other occasions. "Follow-up Letters to Contributors, 1944-1945"
includes pledges made for the Society for the Advancement of Judaism. A folder regarding
Frank Cohen, who is suffering from libel attacks made in newspapers, writes; "I am very sorry
you did not sell all of the stock at the time I gave it to the Reconstructionist Foundation."
Estate allocations can also be located here.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries D consists of correspondence, lists, and minutes regarding special gifts and
fundraising campaigns. Special gifts made by individuals often contained a stipulation or
were focused on particular uses; Mr. I. Rogosin required that his funds be used to research
the "problem of ethical standards in Jewish life." Mr. Max S. Hillson and Mr. Julius
Fligelman provided complimentary subscriptions to The
Reconstructionist. Additional folders pertain to fundraising for Mordecai M. Kaplan's
75th and 80th birthdays and to
parlor meetings that were held at the homes of Maurice Linder, Leopold J. Sneider, and Reuben
I. Isaacson in 1964. Lastly, a grant was approved by Merrill Trust in 1965 to "conduct a
conference to help Jewish leaders of the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Faiths discuss
common problems."

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Series X contains correspondence and lists of potential JRF donors and members and
subscribers to The Reconstructionist. Some of the lists are
from other organizations: Society for the Advancement of Judaism, YM-YWHA of Montreal,
National Jewish Welfare Board, and various other Jewish associations.

Arrangement:

Arranged into two subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series XI is composed of general fellowship materials that have not been organized into city
or state, including material from the Jewish Reconstructionist Fellowship (formed in 1944) and
Reconstructionist Fellowship of Congregations (formed in 1954), which were pre-cursors to the
Federation of Reconstructionist Congregations and Fellowships (formed in 1956). The series is
arranged into two subseries: Subseries A: Pre-Federation;
Correspondence with Potential and Established Study Groups (not ordered by region);
and Subseries B: Materials sent by various study groups for inclusion in
Newsletter.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A contains correspondence, minutes, clippings, reports, and relating to the first
inklings of the Jewish Reconstructionist Fellowship until it eventually evolved in the
Federation of Reconstructionist Congregations and Fellowships. Mordecai Kaplan and Assistant
President Abraham Dubin made several visits to various areas of the country to promote
Reconstructionism. Correspondence from and to synagogues with different issues concerning the
Reconstructionist movement and setting up study groups can also be found here, but are not
organized into City or State as in the following series. An interesting folder is titled
"Federation: New and Original Materials." This includes a report by Rabbi Murray Levine from
Temple Sholom of Flatbush in Brooklyn, where he describes his synagogue's "Shavous
Integration Program," a program that discussed Black and Jewish stereotypes and invited Black
and White non-Jews to participate. "Supplementary Kit Given to Affiliates," includes
cantatas, bulletins, pamphlets, programs, articles and excerpts from books pertaining to
Reconstructionism, and material from the Society of Advanced Judaism and local
synagogues.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B consists of correspondence, essays, flyers, minutes, clippings, newsletters,
photographs, prayers, and programs from local synagogues that were sent for possible
incorporation into the Federation of Reconstructionist Congregations and Fellowships
newsletter. Some of the newsletters were issued for Jews in the military serving in the
Philippines during World War II (see "Fellowship News, 1946").

Arrangement:

Arranged into nine subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series XII contains material from and about members of the Federation of Reconstructionist
Congregations and Fellowships. Each subseries is organized by region. The majority of material
is correspondence, from synagogues providing updates on their activities; requesting advice
regarding observance, administration, fundraising, or supplies; and or relating to visits made
by JRF staff. In addition to correspondence, there are calendars of events, flyers, lists,
minutes, clippings, newsletters, programs, sermons, and syllabi issued from individual
synagogues, havurot, or regional chapters. The series is arranged
into nine subseries: Subseries A: New York, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania; Subseries B: New England; Subseries C: South; Subseries D: Midwest (minus
Illinois); Subseries E: Illinois; Subseries F: California; Subseries G: Western States;
Subseries H: West Coast; and Subseries I:
Other Countries.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries H also includes Federation members from California. Much of the correspondence
concerns annual trips that JRF staff made to the state. Additional California material is
available in Subseries F:
California.

Arrangement:

Arranged into five subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series XIII includes information on JRF projects in adult and teenage education, a Jewish
flag, an Institute for research in Jewish issues, and ways in which to disseminate the JRF
philosophy within the United States and Israel. The series is arranged into five subseries:
Subseries A: Adult Education, Retreats and Cejwin Camps; Subseries B: Institute for Applied Research in Contemporary Judaism;
Subseries C: Panels and Discussions; Subseries D: Israel; and Subseries E: Other
Projects.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A contains material on conferences, institutes, seminars, and retreats that were
held by JRF for various groups in different venues, to advocate the Reconstructionist
philosophy. These include institutes held at Cejwin and Ramah camps, conferences for
Chaplains and Veterans, and meetings for Rabbinical students. Several proposals for various
Adult Schools were discussed, among them to become active in the Academy for Higher Jewish
Learning, a training school for Rabbis and educators; and a Graduate School for Applied
Judaism to be established at Brandeis University. A plan to stimulate post Bar and Bat
Mitzvah teenagers with a Ben-Torah degree is also considered. Conferences were also planned
around Mordecai M. Kaplan's 80th birthday (see Ideological
Conference) and 90th birthday (see National Convention and
Cabinet Meeting).

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B contains correspondence, a certificate of incorporation and by laws (for the
National Foundation for Jewish Culture), invitations, and clippings regarding Mordecai M.
Kaplan's decision to retire from the faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary and establish
an Institute for Applied Research in Contemporary Judaism which would be funded by the
National Foundation for Jewish Culture. The Institute would progressively seek to improve
Jewish life on many fronts.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries C consists of panel discussions on topics such as "Who is a Jew" and "the role of
Anglo-Jewish periodicals in America" through the conduit of conferences and monthly
newsletters. "Panel Discussion, 1948" includes index cards from questions posed from the
audience to Mordecai M. Kaplan, Will Herberg (writer and lecturer), and Irving Kristol
(assistant editor of Commentary). The Kaplanger letters were
an effort to promote discussion on contemporary issues through a monthly newsletter and the
folders contain extensive correspondence from participants. In 1960, a discussion was held
involving editors of Jewish magazines and newspapers concerning the role of Anglo-Jewish
periodicals in America, upon which a majority decision was made that there should be a
national Jewish weekly newspaper.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries D consists of a 1948 panel discussion on Zionism, 1967 protest rallies, and
proposals to open a Reconstructionist office in Israel. In 1948, Eliezer Liebenstein (Israeli
journalist and Knesset member) remarked on the "relation of the American Jew to the Jewish
state." A decision to open a JRF office in Israel was reached in 1956, and a project was
undertaken to send Reconstructionist magazine and books to libraries and other potential
subscribers. At the onset of the 1967 Six Day War, JRF and Federation members were urged to
take part in a rally called by the Conference of Presidents of National Jewish Organizations.
Various articles on Israel and the mid-East crisis are located in "Israel and the Middle
East." JRF also held study mission and tours of Israel in the 1970s.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries E contains correspondence, U.S. patent responses, clippings, pamphlets, and
newsletters concerning projects that do not fall under the other subseries. These include a
proposal by M.P. Epstein for the design of a flag to represent Jewish peoplehood in the
synagogue ("I think it is wrong for American institutions to fly this flag [the Israeli flag]
as their own, although, of course, it would be proper to fly the flag of any state when an
official representative of that state is formally present.") Other projects are a speakers'
bureau, and the opening of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College at Temple University.

Arrangement:

Arranged into three subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series XIV is devoted to JRF's establishment of a body of Reconstructionist Rabbis that
would meet regularly to discuss issues and attend seminars. The series is arranged into three
subseries: Subseries A: Lists; Subseries B:
Rabbinic Fellowship seminars and conferences; and Subseries C:
News bulletins and correspondence.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B consists of correspondence, guides, lists, minutes, clippings, notes, prayers,
press releases, proceedings, reply cards, and reports pertaining to JRF's efforts to elicit
Rabbis' interest and support. Beginning with an informal group of Rabbis meeting at the
Society for the Advancement of Judaism in 1946, JRF solicited names from the Rabbinical
Seminary and the Central Conference of American Rabbis and eventually created a Rabbis
Fellowship in 1950. A list of Rabbis belonging to the Rabbinical Seminary of America in 1946
is located in "Rabbis' Meeting, 1947." In 1956, a National Rabbinic Committee met to raise
funds for Mordecai M. Kaplan's 75th birthday. Reconstructionist
Rabbi's Caucuses were also formed both for the Rabbinical Assembly and the CCAR in 1957.
Fellowship conferences and seminars were held on a sporadic basis, until an effort to
regularize them began in 1958. Of interest are the Rabbinic Fellowship statement of
objectives (see "Reconstructionist Rabbinical Fellowship, 1950-1952"); proceedings of
sessions held in February 1959 on Jewish ethics, ritual, and Zionism (see "Rabbinic
Fellowship, 1958-1959"); guides to ritual and mourning (see "Rabbinic Conference, 1960-1962,
1965-1966"); a Conservative interpretation of the laws of the Marriage Service (see "Rabbinic
Fellowship Meeting Notices"); a paper by Jacob Neusner on Milton Steinberg's thoughts on
Jewish peoplehood (see "Milton Steinberg Memorial"); and an address delivered by Jacob Agus
on Martin Buber (see "Rabbinic Conference, 1965").

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Scope and Content:

Subseries C consists of correspondence, form letters, and newsletters regarding various
topics pertaining to the Rabbinic Fellowship. Rabbinic Fellowship news bulletins are
available from 1951-1952, with gaps. An effort to solicit Rabbis for funding for JRF and/or
for The Reconstructionist magazine was made in 1952. Rabbinic
Fellowship form letters, pertaining to various events and fundraising, were collected from
1955-1957.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Series XV includes invitations and programs to events, end of the year reports, and board
meeting minutes regarding the activities of the JRF Women's Organization, which was formed in
1958. The Women's Organization supported the JRF activities, and arranged for forums, social
events, and seminars.

Arrangement:

Arranged into three subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series XVI is devoted to JRF's efforts to interest high school and University level youth in
Reconstructionist activities. The series is arranged into three subseries: Subseries A: B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundations; Subseries B: Youth Fellowship; Subseries C: University
Fellowship.

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A consists of correspondence between JRF and Hillel Foundations concerning
providing JRF resources to students on campus. Of interest is a proposal to establish the
Havurat Shalom Community Seminary in the Boston area as well as a paper by Rabbi Axelrod
titled "Jewish Forms of Authority and the Hillel Director" (see "Correspondence with Rabbi
Albert Axelrod")

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B contains addresses, correspondence, discussion guides and syllabi, lists,
minutes, papers, press releases, and questionnaires concerning the formation of a
Reconstructionist Institute for Youth Leadership that was organized in 1946. An interesting
proposal was put forth in 1944 to create a Reconstructionist Youth House that would include
summer camping opportunities. This proposal was completed in some form at a Youth Leadership
Seminar held at Cejwin Camps in 1946 (see "Youth Institute, 1946-1947"). Other items of
interest include questionnaires filled out by two participants (see "Youth Fellowship Lists."
Please note that this folder also includes material on T'hiyah). The subseries also contains
material regarding the Society for the Advancement of Judaism Youth Group (see "Youth Group
(SAJ), 1946") and the New York Chapter of the Reconstructionist Institute for Youth
Leadership.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries C contains articles, brochures, correspondence, flyers, guides, lists,
newsletters, plans, questionnaires, and songsheets pertaining to T'hiyah, the
Reconstructionist University Fellowship. Aimed at college and graduate students, T'hiyah
(meaning "rebirth" in Hebrew), provided camps (at Cejwin), seminars, study programs, and
cultural events to encourage Jewish participation. This subseries includes a 1949 plan of
study for college students in order to evaluate their needs. Various articles, excerpts, and
pamphlets are also included for discussion purposes. These include topics as alienation,
political education, European Jewry population patterns, and Christmas and Hanukkah in the
public schools. "Tehiyah Renascence" a newsletter issued by the Reconstructionist Institute
for Youth Leadership, is located in "T'hiyah-the Reconstructionist University Fellowship"
(Oct/Nov. 1946 and Dec/Jan. 1947 only).

Arrangement:

Arranged into three subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series XVII includes correspondence, birthday tributes, political statements, and
biographical information on Mordecai M. Kaplan. Please note that additional material on Kaplan
is scattered throughout the JRF collection. The series is arranged into three subseries: Subseries A: Correspondence; Subseries B:
Tributes and Awards; and Subseries C: Biography, Notes,
Statements, Syllabi.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A contains correspondence written by and to Mordecai M. Kaplan. Although such
correspondence exists throughout the collection, these folders represent a core of his letter
writing. In addition to correspondence, the folders include V-mail holiday cards and
correspondence from military Chaplains, synagogue invitations for his lectures, synagogue
newsletters and other updates, clippings, addresses, papers, and other publications.

The subject of his correspondence varies, and may include updates from local synagogues
(such as Pittsfield, Mass. or Chicago), and responses to his lectures, writings, and
proposals (including his University of Judaism idea).

Of unique interest is the early issue of separating Reconstructionism from Reform Judaism
and Kaplan's excommunication by Agudas Horabbonim, the association of Orthodox Rabbis (see
"Kaplan-Morgenstern Reconstructionist Reform, 1945-1946").

Kaplan's University of Judaism proposal results in a sharp reaction from Hebrew University
and encouragement from Israel Goldstein of the Rabbinical Assembly (see "Reactions to his
University of Judaism idea, undated, July-December 1946"). This folder also contains
questions asked of Kaplan at various synagogue forums (see also MMK correspondence, 1948")
and correspondence with Sol Dann, a prominent Detroit attorney, regarding reorganizing the
Zionist Organization of America.

Other items of interest consist of support for the Committee for Kashruth in the planned
Long Island Jewish Hospital (see "MMK correspondence A-G 1951," and "M-Z, 1952") and a report
by Abba Hillel Silver titled "My Visit to the Soviet Union," dated in 1961 which forms a
heated exchange between Kaplan and the American Council for Judaism (see "Dr. Mordecai M.
Kaplan, undated, 1960, 1963").

Several papers, mainly not attributed, are scattered throughout this subseries. These
include "The Belief in G-d" (see "Reactions to his University of Judaism idea, undated,
July-December 1946"); Kaplan's letter to the Editors of Opinion "Tribute to Stephen S. Wise: (see "MMK correspondence, 1949"); "Tribute to
Dr. Kaplan" March 2, 1951 for Kaplan's testimonial dinner (see "MMK correspondence, H-Z,
1951"); "Synopsis of Lectures" by Mordecai Kaplan for the Hebrew Union College and a draft of
Kaplan's "Why an Applied Research Institute for Contemporary Judaism?" (both available in
"Dr. Mordecai M. Kaplan, undated, 1960, 1963"); and a handwritten description of
Reconstructionism as it relates to Christianity (see "Dr. Mordecai M. Kaplan,
1963-1964").

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B contains material regarding Mordecai M. Kaplan's 70th and 80th birthdays and an award issued to him in 1964
by the Decalogue Society of Lawyers.

Kaplan's 70th birthday folders include letters of
congratulation, a book of tributes, and a statement from Martin Buber. His 80th birthday folders contain press releases and lists of press
coverage, as well as letters and telegrams of congratulations including one from David
Ben-Gurion.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries C contains a variety of folders that do not fall under other subseries. These
include articles, a biography, and tributes concerning Mordecai M. Kaplan; quote excerpts of
his "random thoughts" (see MMK biography and Dr. Mordecai M. Kaplan, undated, 1961, 1963,
1965"); open letters and an outline concerning reorganizing the Jewish community (see "Dr.
Mordecai M. Kaplan, 1959"); and several political statements Kaplan issued regarding his
University of Judaism concept and Zionism.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Series XVIII contains the correspondence of Ira Eisenstein, a close collaborator with
Mordecai M. Kaplan in promoting Reconstructionism. Please note that additional correspondence
of Ira Eisenstein is scattered throughout the collection; this series demonstrates the more
significant matters Eisenstein managed.

The correspondence encompasses a few key areas of Eisenstein's career; his election as
President of the Rabbinical Assembly in 1952, his position as editor of The Reconstructionist beginning in 1935, and the bestowal of an honorary degree by
the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1958. The series also includes correspondence with local
synagogues, individuals, and magazine editors who seek answers concerning Reconstructionist
philosophy, as well as the financial difficulties faced by JRF in the 1950s (see "Ira
Eisenstein correspondence, 1950-1953" and "1955-1958").

Of interest is a letter written by Eisenstein, inviting Abba Eban to write articles for
The Reconstructionist.(see "Ira Eisenstein correspondence,
1960-1961"). Papers delivered at a conference sponsored by the American Jewish Congress,
titled "East European Values and Their Impact on American Jewish Life are available in "Ira
Eisenstein correspondence, 1960-1961." Other papers include a draft of Eisenstein's "A Code of
Standards for Rabbis" (see "Ira Eisenstein Rabbinical Assembly, 1961") and an address in honor
of Alfred Schoolman's 70th birthday (see "Ira Eisenstein
correspondence, 1965, 1967-1968"). An envelope contains forum questions for Eisenstein posed
by audience members that are on index cards; these are also available within this folder.

Arrangement:

Alphabetically by individual's last name.

Scope and Content:

Series XIX contains correspondence, notes, and reports pertaining to staff and Board member
positions at JRF. The materials include notes on staff meetings, reports of traveling lectures
made by Ira Eisenstein and Jack Cohen, and applications for open positions at JRF. Primarily,
however, the series consists of folders on individual staff members. Among the more
significant folders are Jack J. Cohen (Director of JRF and Associate Editor for The Reconstructionist in Israel), Hannah L. Goldberg (Executive
Secretary), and Eugene Kohn (Managing Editor for the Reconstructionist).

Arrangement:

Arranged into four subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series XX contains correspondence that in relation to the other series in the collection can
be termed "general." This includes folders that have been labeled by JRF as general or
miscellaneous, and folders that focus on Israel, Zionism, and other matters which do not fall
under the other series. The series is arranged into four subseries: Subseries A: General and miscellaneous correspondence; Subseries B: Foreign and military correspondence; Subseries C:
Israel and Zionism related correspondence; and Subseries D:
Other correspondence.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A contains correspondence that was placed together in folders and labeled general
or miscellaneous by JRF staff members. The correspondence is similar to the type that is
found within focused series in the collection, however; in order to keep the original order
of the folders, they have been left in their unsorted state.

Highlights in the subseries include correspondence with the National Jewish Welfare Board
in the 1940s regarding providing Reconstructionist publications to servicemen; correspondence
with various established and potential members of the Federation of Reconstructionist
Congregations and Fellowships; interoffice memos concerning daily business matters, Board
meetings, and appointments; letters regarding promoting Reconstructionism in Israel;
responses to articles submitted for publication in The
Reconstructionist; and memberships, donations, and subscriptions to JRF and its
publications.

Examples of "gems" that a researcher may find in this series include a copy of a letter
from James P. Warburg, dated December 1959, in which he defends his Zionist views (see
"General Correspondence, 1958-1959"); a letter to the Rabbinical Assembly, written by Richard
L. Rubenstein of the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation, dated February 1960, in which he
protests against a proposal to create minimum standards of behavior for Rabbinical Assembly
members (see "General Correspondence, 1960"); a letter to Mrs. David H. Neustadt, dated
February 1961 in which Eisenstein explains why the ten plagues were eliminated from the
Haggadah (see General Correspondence, 1960-1961")'; a letter from Hubert H. Humphrey,
Vice-President of the U.S., dated July 1968, in which he encloses his statement on Near East
policies (see "General Correspondence, D-K, undated, 1966-1968"); a letter from and to Mr.
Kivie Kaplan, head of the NAACP, dated November 1966 (see the same folder); the
"Recollections of Robert Szold," issued by the Zionist Federation of London (see "General
Correspondence, R-S, 1965-1968"); and lessons in intermarriage, a series of questions posed
by an unidentified author (see "General Correspondence, T-Z, 1928, 1964, 1966-1968).

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B consist of correspondence from members of the military and from congregations
in foreign countries, asking for publication supplies and general assistance. The military
correspondence includes V-Mail and among the correspondents are Chaplain Judah Nadich in the
Pacific Theatre (see "Literature requested by Army Posts and USO Center"), and Captain David
Macarov in which he describes the Jewish community in Calcutta, India (see "Army Literature
Requests, 1945-1946"). The foreign correspondence is primarily from England and Calcutta,
India.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries C consists of correspondence and mailing lists regarding Zionist issues. Several
of the folders are dated pre-1948; these include a telegram sent to President Harry Truman by
Maurice Linder, President of JRF, a telegram sent to JRF by Stephen S. Wise, and a resolution
and memorandum from the Rabbinical Assembly relating to the focus of United Jewish Appeal.
Later material contains an invitation for a small Zionist meeting at Albert and Bertha
Schoolman's home (see "Zionist Organization of America, 1964-1965"); a response by Wolfe
Kelman, Executive Vice-President of the Rabbinical Assembly to an article by Richard L.
Rubenstein, of the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation; and a mailing list of libraries and other
repositories which were sent Zionism Explained.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries D contains specified correspondence that does not fall under the other subseries.
These include correspondence relating to a conference on Community organization; the
involvement of JRF in the Religion and Labor Foundation, a foundation seeking an atmosphere
of cooperation between the religious and labor leaders; a protest letter against the removal
of Secretary of State Dean Acheson; a folder of correspondence with Maxwell Abbell, Chair of
the President's Committee on Government Employment Policy; and an invitation for JRF to join
the National Council on Jewish Audio-Visual Materials.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Series XXI contain the minutes of the meeting of the editorial board for The Reconstructionist. The series also includes meeting
announcements, correspondence, and lists of board members. The meetings touch on different
sections of the magazine, the magazine's format, and administrative matters pertaining both to
the magazine and to JRF.

Box

Folder

Title

Date

54

1

Editorial Board Minutes

1942-1943

54

2

Editorial Board Minutes

1944

54

3

Editorial Board Minutes

1945

54

4

Editorial Board Minutes

January 1946-January 1948

54

5

Editorial Board Minutes

1948-1951

54

6

Editorial Board Correspondence

1949-1953

54

7

Editorial Board Minutes

May 1951-December 1953

54

8

Editorial Board Minutes

1956

54

9

Editorial Board Correspondence

1954-1956

54

10

Editorial Board Minutes

1957-1959

54

11

Editorial Board Minutes (incomplete)

1958-1960

54

12

Editorial Board Miscellaneous Correspondence

undated, 1959-1961

54

13

Editorial Board Announcements of meetings only (and some correspondence)

The Series is in English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, and Yiddish.

Boxes 55-71, Box 72, Folders 1-5.

Arrangement:

Arranged into fourteen subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series XXII pertains to the organ of JRF, The
Reconstructionist. The magazine was first published in 1935 as an extension of the
SAJ Review, the bulletin printed by the Society for the
Advancement of Judaism. It remained a biweekly serial that was published for twenty
consecutive issues per year beginning in October for over four decades. In 1970, the magazine
began decreasing its frequency, publishing only 10 issues per year. The Federation of
Reconstructionist Congregations and Fellowships took over the management of the magazine in
1983, and by 1990, only four issues were being published a year. In 1994, the
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (Wyncote, Pennsylvania) became the last and most current
manager for the magazine. Current issues are available at www.rrc.edu and an entire run of the magazine
has been digitized by the American Theological Association, available at www.atla.com. Throughout
its tenure, the magazine generally contained sections for editorials, correspondence, featured
articles, and book reviews.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A consists of minutes from an early meeting of editors in 1934; correspondence
from founding members of the magazine's editorial board; a magazine report, and 1935
financial reports, invoices, and statistics.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B contains manuscripts submitted for inclusion in The
Reconstructionist. Not all of the manuscripts were actually published. Among the
genre are music; poetry; religious services; military Chaplains' addresses; letters from
Jewish soldiers; editorials; book reviews; sermons; and topics such as anti-Semitism,
Zionism, the Eichmann trial, Jewish identity, Jewish education, interfaith relations, and
religious thought. Interspersed with some of the manuscripts are application and response
letters.

The Subseries is in English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, and Yiddish.

Box 58, Folders 5-9, Boxes 59-66, Box 67, Folders 1-7.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries C contains the bulk of Series XXII and primarily includes letters between the
Editor of The Reconstructionist and potential contributors. A
few manuscripts are scattered throughout the subseries.

Correspondents are filed for the most part alphabetically within folders. Please note that
correspondents in Subseries D: Correspondence with writers and contributors, may also have
additional letters available within this subseries.

The subseries also includes letters written by readers reacting to the magazine or to
specific editorials.

Arrangement:

Alphabetically by author's name.

Scope and Content:

Subseries D is similar to Subseries C: Editorial and manuscript correspondence, but is
organized specifically by author. Researchers may wish to also consult Subseries C for
further correspondence from authors that are listed in this Subseries.

Several files are of particular interest. These include: Rabbi David Z. Ben-Ami and his
efforts to improve race relations in Hattiesburg, Miss. in the 1960s; Eliahu Ben-Horin's
contributions to The Reconstructionist column "Middle East
Cockpits" and his extensive correspondence with Philip M. Klutznick; a volatile exchange
between Sol Dann and Lessing J. Rosenwald (President of American Council for Judaism)
relating to Dann's indictments against ACJ Zionist statements; a defensive letter written by
FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover in 1949 regarding discriminatory labeling; a copy of a letter
from Thomas Mann to Jacob Billikopf stating "...the passing of Roosevelt has shocked me too.
We have lost a powerful friend...;" reactions to Rabbi Harold Schulweis' sermon "the Voice of
Esau" which touched on Black-Jewish relations; and transcripts of personal letters of Rabbi
Stephen S. Wise submitted by Carl Voss.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries E contains lists of book reviewers, authors, and bibliographies. Much of the
subseries consists of correspondence from the Editor of The
Reconstructionist either soliciting contributions or following up on requested
work.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries F consists of correspondence regarding two, out of many symposiums in which
participants' contributions are discussed in issues of the magazine. The first symposium
pertains to Jewish Community Councils' services to communities; it appeared in the January
10, 1958 issue (Vol. XXIII, no. 18). The second, a "counter-Symposium," was a reaction to
Commentary's symposium on "Jewishness and the Younger
Intellectuals," which appeared in Commentary's April 1961
issue. Articles pertaining to the counter-symposium can be located in various issues from
1961-1962.

Arrangement:

Alphabetically by region.

Scope and Content:

Subseries G consists of correspondence, manuscripts, and meeting minutes regarding special
regional issues of The Reconstructionist that were published
between 1955 and 1957. The Chicago issue appeared in the following issues: May 26, 1966 (Vol.
XXI, no. 8) and January 25, 1957 (Vol. XXII no. 19). The New England issue appeared in
January 31, 1957 (Vol. XXIII, no. 8). The West Coast issues appeared in November 16, 1956
(Vol. XXII, no. 14), a supplement in November 30, 1956 (Vol. XXII, no. 15), and February 20,
1958 (Vol. XXIII, no. 18). It is unclear if a Southern issue was ever published. Each issue
dealt with Jewish life in the particular region of the country and was compiled by
contributors from the particular region. The resulting issues were then used as promotional
tools for synagogue members in those regions.

To observe the 25th Anniversary of The
Reconstructionist, the magazine issued a special issue on February 19, 1960 (Vol.
XXVI, no. 1). The folder consists of two copies of this issue.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries H pertains to a creative arts supplement that The
Reconstructionist began in 1965 in order to disseminate new synagogue music to its
members. The supplement appeared in two issues of the magazine: June 25, 1965 (vol. XXXI, no.
10) and June 24, 1966 (vol. XXXII no. 10). The subseries primarily consists of sheet music
and lyrics that were submitted to the Editorial Committee of the Creative Arts
Supplement.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries I relates to the use of other journals' articles for inclusion in The Reconstructionist and the use of The
Reconstructionist articles' for use in other journals and newsletters. Also included
in this subseries are article reprints, and issues from other publications in which The Reconstructionist is quoted.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries K contains correspondence and advertisements soliciting advertisement space in
The Reconstructionist and correspondence, reports, and press
releases promoting the magazine to subscribers. El Al Airlines was a frequent advertiser in
the magazine, and the subseries includes the airline's camera ready advertisements as well as
contracts with its advertising agency. "Promotion and Publicity, 1960, 1963" contains a
description of the magazine, listing its general subjects and names of distinguished
contributors. A report on membership statistics and a subscription analysis for February 1967
is located in "Promotion and Publicity, 1960, 1967" along with a JRF press release
introducing the Bnot Torah educational project for women who did not have previous Bat
Mitzvahs.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries L consists of correspondence, mailing lists, minutes, and reports regarding
strategies to increase circulation as well as everyday managing of subscriber's accounts.
Letters from Emanuel Celler, NY Representative in 1944 and others praising the magazine can
be located in "Subscription Campaign, 1944." Statistical reports listing the numbers of
subscribers, printing and postage costs, and a nationwide distribution schedule are scattered
throughout the subseries. "Magazine Committee, 1957-1958" includes minutes and reports of
this committee's meetings along with a list of JRF publications and the number distributed in
1956-1957. Responses to Ira Eisenstein's inquiry in 1963 on changing the frequency of the
magazine from a biweekly to a monthly are located in "Replies to President's letter regarding
magazine publication, 1963."

Box

Folder

Title

Date

71

18

Subscription Campaign

1944

71

19

Magazine Form Letters

1954-1955, 1957-1960

71

20

Magazine Committee

1957-1958

71

21

Subscription Campaign

1961-1962

71

22

Replies to President's letter regarding Magazine Publication

1963

71

23

Subscription Correspondence

1963

71

24

Jewish Teachers' Community Chest

1964

71

25

Subscription Correspondence

1966

71

26

Subscription Correspondence

1966-1967

71

27

Subscription Correspondence

1967-1968

71

28

Subscription Correspondence

1969

Subseries M: 30th Anniversary, undated, 1964-1965

The Subseries is in English.

Box 72, Folders 1-4.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries M mainly consists of reply cards, correspondence, and lists of individuals
pledging money in honor of the 30th anniversary of The Reconstructionist. Statements of praise written by Rabbis, civil
and Jewish leaders, and scholars about the magazine are published in "Tributes to The Reconstructionist on its Thirtieth Anniversary, 1935-1965."

Arrangement:

Chronologically by title.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A consists of a certificate, correspondence, lists, clippings, notes, pamphlets,
poetry, and promotional writings that relate to the promotion, publishing and literary rights
of Sabbath Seudah, written by Rabbi Eugene Kohn; a prayer book
for Sabbath Services, written by Mordecai M. Kaplan and Eugene Kohn; High Holiday prayer
books; and New Haggadah. The subseries contains a collection of religious poems for possible
inclusion in a prayer book (see "Prayer Book-Miscellaneous, undated") and small haggadot that
were used by Military Jewish Chaplains during World War II (see "New Haggadah, 1945" and
"Haggadah, 1945-1946"). In addition, the subseries contains undated sermon fragments.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B relates to Mordecai M. Kaplan's non-liturgical writings, and includes
promotional and business correspondence concerning Faith of
America, The Meaning of G-d, The Future of the American Jew, and Judaism as a
Civilization. An extensive amount of book reviews are located in the folders
pertaining to The Future of the American Jew which also
contain a manuscript, mailing lists, and a sales record. A letter written to Rabbi Kaplan
from Albert Einstein in 1948 may also allude to this title.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries C concerns the promotion and business matters relating to published and
unpublished publications written by others. These works include two works regarding poetry
(see "Poetry Volume, undated, 1946" and "Shalom, 1950"); Cantillation
of the Bible, by Solomon Rosowsky; Mordecai M. Kaplan: An
Evaluation, by Ira Eisenstein and Eugene Kohn; New Lights and
Old Shadows, by Lionel S. Reiss; "Jewish Community Relations; An analysis of the
MacIver Report," by Abraham G. Duker; and articles by Jack J. Cohen and Milton Steinberg. Of
interest is a collection of poetry, some of which were submitted by World War II soldier
Solom Bloom (see "Poetry volume, undated, 1946"). An essay on Israeli poet S. Shalom is
located in "Shalom, 1950." Two copies of the Abraham G. Duker report are located within his
folder.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries D contains correspondence, contracts, galleys, and draft manuscripts relating to
educational publications. The majority of material consists of draft manuscripts, and
galleys. There also exists editing correspondence (see "Reconstructionist Primer" Mehlman, B.
William, 1959) and an agreement between JRF and the Jewish Educational Committee of New York
transferring the rights of The Creative Audience, by Rebecca
Imber and Jack J. Cohen to JEC.

Box

Folder

Title

Date

73

10

"Reconstructionist Primer"-Mehlman, B. William

1959

73

11

Agreement between JRF and Jewish Education Committee on Creative Audience

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries E consists of catalogues, correspondence, a dinner invitation, an invoice,
pamphlets, press releases, and statistics publicizing and soliciting the sale of JRF
publications, as well as miscellaneous correspondence that does not fall within other series.
An example of miscellaneous correspondence is a dinner invitation celebrating the founding of
the Reconstructionist Press (see "Reconstructionist Press, 1953"), and specific shipping
arrangements and following up of customer accounts (See "Publications, 1959" and Books for
Reconstructionist Foundation, 1960"). The majority of materials in this subseries, however,
are press releases and form letters to readers and the editorial board announcing new
publications, catalogues listing JRF publications, and pamphlets promoting specific works. An
inventory list and number of books sold is available in "Publications-Press, 1956-1957" and
"Publications, 1963, 1975." Please note that "Publications and Promotion, 1958-1960" contains
a response from the Jewish Educational Committee of New York regarding the reprinting of
The Creative Audience. Additional correspondence in this
folder relates to book proposals between authors and publishing houses.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries F contains correspondence regarding permission to publish excerpts or articles
from other sources, minutes and publication schedules issued by the Publication Committee,
correspondence between and agreements made with publishing houses, and lists of publications.
Samples of a photo engraving company are also located in this subseries.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries G contains statistics on the distribution and sales of JRF publications.
Statistical tables during World War II list the number and title of publications distributed
to civilians and to USO and army centers. Later tables list the amount of publications by
title in inventory or the number of publications by title sold.

Arrangement:

Arranged into two subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series XXIV consists of catalogues, correspondence, lists, lyrics, clippings, sheet music,
plays, prayers, promotional material, programs, and radio transcripts relating to musical
works, plays, and guides for prayer service. The series also includes audio material in the
form of radio transcripts and record albums that were created by Mordecai M. Kaplan. The
series is arranged into two subseries: Subseries A: Cantatas, choral
works, plays, and prayer pamphlets; and Subseries B: Mordecai M.
Kaplan's interviews, radio appearance, and record album.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A is a mixture of correspondence reacting to a specific work, promotional
material, and the works themselves. Not all of the files contain copies of the work in
question; "The Law G-d Gave on Sinai," "Aliyah," and "Our Bialik" do not contain actual
works. Many of the musical works were jointly authored by Ira and Judith Eisenstein.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries B relates to audio and visual work pertaining to Mordecai M. Kaplan. The
subseries includes a radio program, aired on station WLIB on May 4, 1952 in which Mordecai M.
Kaplan serves as a panelist for the discussion "The State of Israel and the Status of the
Jewish People." A transcript of the announcers script is enclosed (there are no scripts for
the panelists). JRF produced a "kinescope" in 1958 titled "Way to Go-An Interview with Dr.
Mordecai M. Kaplan." The folder includes correspondence and discussion questions regarding
the film. In honor of Dr. Mordecai M. Kaplan's 85th birthday, a
record album titled "Questions Jews Ask" was produced. The folders pertaining to this work
mainly contain business correspondence. A list of the questions that appear on the record are
available in "MMK Record Album-Correspondence, 1965-1967" and a complete transcript of
answers are located in "MMK Record Album-Records, undated."

Arrangement:

Arranged into five subseries.

Scope and Content:

Series XXV contains copies of published pamphlets, syllabi, religious services, and reports
by various authors that were issued by JRF. The series is arranged into five subseries
according to the name of the author: Subseries A: Mordecai M.
Kaplan; Subseries B: Ira Eisenstein; Subseries C: JRF and Reconstructionist Press; Subseries D: Other authors; Subseries E:
Miscellaneous.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries A consists of copies of pamphlets that were written or co-authored by Mordecai M.
Kaplan. "Pamphlets by MMK, undated, 1942, 1944-1945" contain the following: "The
Reconstructionist Viewpoint," "La Liberta Di Essere Ebrei," "The Freedom to be Jews," "Unity
in Diversity in the Conservative Movement," "The Aims of Reconstructionism," "The Ten
Commandments Today," and Chapter 13 of an unidentified title "The Need for Normative Unity in
Higher Education."

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries C consists of copies of pamphlets that were written under the general authorship
of JRF or the Reconstructionist Press. Of interest is the pamphlet "A Challenge to Freedom of
Worship" which responds to the 1945 excommunication against Dr. Kaplan by the Agudas
Horabbonim, the association of Orthodox Rabbis. "A Program for Jewish Life Today" was
originally issued by JRF and later reissued by Reconstructionist Press. One syllabus, "The
Philosophy and Program of Reconstructionism," is located within this subseries.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Subseries E contains pamphlets collected by JRF that were used for research as well as
catalogues, pamphlets, and prayer services either unauthored or authored by various authors
but filed in a single folder. "Religious Services" includes a "Thanksgiving After Meals"
service, a marriage certificate, an article on Reconstructionism by Emanuel S. Goldsmith, and
a "Common Service" revised and edited by Alvin J. Reines. "Miscellaneous Pamphlets and
Fliers" contain catalogues, small brochures, and reprints of articles and general
descriptions of JRF and the Reconstructionist Movement. "Who is a Jew" a three page essay,
remains unauthored.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Series XXVI consists of newsletters issued by JRF or by the Federation of Reconstructionist
Congregations and Fellowships. The majority of materials, however; are press releases that are
at times titled "News" or "News and Views (issued by the Federation)." A reel of microfilm,
available through AJHS library, contains a wide variety of pamphlets, newsletters, reports,
and press releases dating from 1940-1946, 1951, 1964-1965. The contents of this microfilm are
listed in "Contents of Microfilm." Actual newsletters are located in the following folders:
"1944-1945, 1947, 1949," "1967," "1967-1968," "1968," and "1976-1983."

The Series is in English, French, German, Hebrew, Spanish, and Yiddish.

Boxes 79-81.

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Series XXVII is a combination of clippings, newsletters, articles, programs, and press
releases that pertain either to the subject of Reconstructionism, Mordecai M. Kaplan, or Ira
Eisenstein; or are reprinted The Reconstructionist articles
issued in other publications. Some of the folders appear to be records of Kaplan's or
Eisenstein's career; such as each Rabbi's speaking engagements and appointments. Types of
publications collected in this series primarily originate from Jewish national newspapers and
Jewish organization and synagogue newsletters. A portion of the articles pertain to Jewish
veterans, Zionism, and book reviews of JFP sponsored publications ("Clippings (Binder),
undated, 1957-1958 has many but not all of the reviews in this series).

Arrangement:

Chronologically.

Scope and Content:

The series is composed of undated photographs of Mordecai M. Kaplan as well as pictures
taken from his 80th birthday. The series also contains photographs
taken from a JRF Conference in Montreal. In addition, the series consists of photographs taken
from the Fellowship of Reconstructionist Congregations in White Plains, New York circa 1960.
The series also contains undated photographs and negatives showing a window detail by Marc
Chagall.

Scope and Content:

This series comprises one reel of microfilm created in 1970. The microfilm contains
publications and printed matter published by or relating to the Jewish Reconstructionist
Foundation (JRF), dating from circa 1940-1964. Included are publications written by Mordecai
M. Kaplan, such as Religious Imperatives of Jewish
Peoplehood(1959) and Know How to Answer: A Guide to
Reconstructionism (1951). There are also other JRF publications including The Reconstructionist Viewpoint, dating from the 1940s, several
articles by other authors, and a 25th anniversary dinner program from 1964, among other
items.